Wednesday, February 15, 2012

"It's Just An Object."

    I know it was "just an object" and I shouldn't have cried, but I did.
    Do you remember my book launch for "The Golden Sky?"
    I gave away an iPad2 as part of the launch. 




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    Well, we hardly ever get anything new.  Our couches are used.  Our dishwasher, fridge, everything is used.  I actually love it--how even my wedding ring is used--because it makes our little house and life magical, honestly.  I know so many memories float around.  I always wonder who had this ring before me.  Did she get divorced . . . or die in a tragic accident that will someday befall me BECAUSE I STILL WEAR THE FLIPPIN' RING?  Did someone steal it from her before bringing it to the pawn shop!  You know what, as long as it wasn't a product of divorce, then I'm good to go.
    Anyway, my parents are AMAZING.  My dad must have known what a sacrifice it was to give a BRAND NEW iPad2 away.  That's why I think he got us one for Christmas.  I cried after opening it, becoming a genuine ball baby as I turned to my parents.  "This means so much," I blubbered like I had a fat lip.  "You're the best!"
    So, yesterday when I couldn't find the iPad2, I should have known something was wrong.  It's off limits for the kids.  Yes, they used it for the Cinnamon Challenge. Which I shouldn't have condoned. 
    "Has anyone seen the iPad?" I asked my angels, but no one fessed up.  Then I found it, resting under newspapers and bills.  My mouth dropped to the floor.  My eyes turned red and steam billowed from my ears.  "WHO DID THIS?!"
    The thing is, it still works, but the glass at the edge of the iPad had shattered.  It made me sick.  I couldn't breathe.
    The Hippie tugged on my shirt.  "I cleaned the whole basement," she said.  "I put the shoes away.  I folded my clothes.  I'll do the dishes.  I'll change Dr. Jones' diapers for a year.  I'll make breakfast!  I'LL EAT HOT PEPPERS.  I'LL LIVE HERE . . . FOREVER," she whispered before crying like the house was on fire.  "I'll be your slave!"
    Somehow I couldn't be super mean.  I held my iPad-lovin' anger at bay.  "Did . . . you do this?" 
    "Yes," she sobbed.
    "You're grounded from video games and TV for two weeks."  She got off easy; and I was so sweet--I'd just bought a ticket to Heaven!  "You also need to help with extra chores to help pay for a portion of this."  Who was I kidding?  She'd put five bucks toward it!  Still though, I remained calm, and I felt proud until the Scribe actually smiled.
    "Too bad, Hippie.  You'd never see me doing something like that.  I wouldn't break the iPad.  I wouldn't even touch it," the Scribe said.
    I erupted with frustration at that point.  I screamed so loud the neighbors probably went deaf, and now I'll go to Hell.
    "HOW . . . DARE YOU TRY TO MAKE YOURSELF LOOK GOOD  . . . THROUGH THIS!" My voice turned terrible, like acid rain that doesn't make you a super hero!  "Clean, the house NOW.  All of you!"
    The Hippie stopped crying and went to work.  She wore ear muffs and I knew she couldn't hear anything else as she whirred, dusting and vacuuming.
    The babies dances around the vacuum because nothing phases them--not even my mean voice.
    The Scribe locked herself in her bedroom and said she was cleaning.  But when I opened the door, her window stretched wide open and she sat drawing and writing!
    "That's it!  I'm going to get coffee before I flip out even worse.  I'll be back in five minutes.  This place better be clean when I get back."
    So, I left, bought my coffee and came back.  When I turned on our street, I noticed a bunch of scroll-shaped papers rolling in the wind.  I stepped from my car and was lucky enough to grab one before it spun away.
    This is what it said--in the Scribe's writing:


    Read This! 
    Whoever is reading this. God loves us even you! God maid everything that is hear this very day. He gave you, food and water. Love God and ask him to be in you're heart. 

READ THE BIBLE :)
- He loves you.
  


    Somehow a little bit of my anger dissipated.  The Scribe had spread God's Word--EVERYWHERE--and it was rolling down the street!  I went inside and all of the kids were finally cleaning.  
    I sat down with my coffee and put my head into my hands.  Sure the iPad2 was just an object, but if my parents find out, they would be super disappointed.  
    I opened my eyes.  The Scribe's letter sprawled in front of me, next to the broken iPad2 and the Scribe's Bible.  I opened the Bible, hoping it would say something that might help.

    I read part of Proverbs 4:7
   Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

    I can't explain, but I felt something so strongly.  The iPad2 was an object--that was a fact--the reality of it brought true understanding.  The kids needed to learn from the situation--this presented a time where I could teach them something important: if someone tells you not to touch something, you shouldn't.  
    Yes, it sucked, but my kids were okay, they were all right and not in Heaven with their brother Zeke.  Plus, I would never tell my family about the iPad--I'd take that info to the grave or die right after they found out and killed me.

In closing . . .
    What do you do in situations like this?  I'm sad, but at least the iPad still works for now.  And who knows, maybe I can get it fixed someday when robots roam the Earth . . . 

33 comments:

  1. Accidents happen around the house and an item that's small can get broken. Even an adult can drop something on it. I'm sure your Dad would understand. Don't beat yourself up! And hug your little ones extra hard!! Hugs.

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  2. It happens unfortunately. Heck my youngest, Chaos, shattered one just a few weeks ago despite it being in an otterbox case. In our situation it was the older model, almost two years old. It ticked me off but I can deal. They're kids, they break things. It's almost never on purpose.

    Now from a practical side, you want to get yourself to an apple store. Out of warranty, a shattered screen is going to cost almost $300 to repair (see above, trust me on this). However, yours is still in warranty so they may cut you a break. Apple tends to be pretty strict about these things, however, that doesn't mean you have to take their first offer. Ask to speak to the manager, explain the situation. You may be able to talk them down to something reasonable. It's not unheard of.

    If it works out, get a good case for it if it's not already in one.

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  3. It was an accident.
    The Hippie confessed.
    She was truly sorry.
    Your dad would understand.
    Trust your EXCELLENT mothering instincts.
    Give her a kiss from her "Grandma fishducky"!!

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  4. Oh man, that sucks. You (mostly) kept your cool though, and your kids will remember that. Right? That you're understanding and you love them no matter what, even when they do something so monumentally stupid?

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  5. Sucks indeed, but yeah accidents do happen and one has to remember that it is just an item. Hard to do at times. But hopefully she learned and won't do it again. Unlike my damn cat! On my third cellphone charger because the sneaky bugger keeps chewing the damn cord...lol

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  6. not that it makes it right, but i know i would be wicked mad. and i probably would've read the culprit the riot act. yea...it is just an object. in the end, it doesn't really mean anything, but in a way...it does mean something. just because we should rise above, doesn't mean it's easy to. we are human. and if god created everything...he created anger, too. so...i don't know.

    i'd be really angry. :)

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  7. The same dang thing happened to our ipad! I am so sorry:(

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  8. Still dealing with shattered glass after several months.

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  9. I'm still stuck on the fact that you get your kids to vacuum and dust. There are clean-up wars going on at my house. I don't know how one Peanut could make such a mess!
    You did a great job handling it.

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  10. Did you try bringing it to Apple? Apple stores are very good with fixing things for little to no cost. The worst case scenario, they tell you they can't help out.

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  11. Dear Elisa,
    The advice from Rick G. and Jax seems good to me. Is there an Apple Store close enough to you that you could follow this advice? I suspect that a face-to-face talk with the manager might work a little better than a phone call.But even that is worth a good try.

    As Fishducky said, You have great mothering skills! And your dad loves you and knows that accidents happen. Trust that love.

    Peace.

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    Replies
    1. It is awesome advice.

      There is an Apple Store close. I need to take it in today :) I hope AND pray they can fix it.

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    2. Back it up and then wipe it before you take it in. Apple tends to replace rather than fix in situations like this.

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  12. "I'LL EAT HOT PEPPERS" - priceless. That would have had me laughing, even if the house had caught on fire.

    My husband washed my cell phone after I told him I was certain it was in the laundry. Now he keeps doing laundry to prove to me he's competent enough to wash a load of sheets without causing destruction (he's not).

    If you really want advice, I think it's important for kids to take responsibility for their actions, like making the Hippie call grandpa to tell him what she did or not allowing her to touch technology for an extended period of time. And asking the Scribe to do something nice for her sister like helping her earn money to pay for the damage.

    I love the image of the babies dancing around the vacuum.

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    1. You're so right! The Hippie dhould be the one to tell her grandfather what happened. After all, she's the one who did it.

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    2. You're both right. But . . . Dang it! Just thinking about this almost gives me a heart attack.

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  13. Oh no! Those times are the worst because you so don't want to lose it on your kids, but it's so, flippin, hard to keep calm. I'm working on not yelling, but I also don't have an iPad. However, my Kindle's almost bitten the dust a few times, and the laptop has been in serious peril. It'll work out, but I think you handled it just fine...:)

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  14. I love this story. I have had those moments where I am so disappointed over something my kids destroyed and struggle to get perspective - everyone is ok, still breathing, etc. It is hard, though. I am so adamant about not letting my kids use my laptop, they have started calling it "the precious" - of course in their best gollum voices...

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  15. Judging by her response, the Hippie knew how much the iPad meant to you. "I will eat hot peppers," tells you just how bad she felt. If you can't get it repaired, I think she should be the one to tell your dad. And the Scribe lead you to a proverb that really tells you what you need to do, which is amazing, I think. You have two wonderful girls. I never had kids, but I would have wanted some, just like the Hippie and the Scribe. I hope they got to read Samson's story from earlier this week.

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  16. Sorry, but I would be very, very upset. Because of the not respecting other people's property, not obeying the rules, cheating on a punishment, being careless...the list goes on. Ask my son. I would have been soooo disappointed in his actions I probably couldn't even speak to him for a while. (When I can't talk to somebody, you know I am really, really upset.) We were usually pretty darn poor, too, and he knew how special some things were that we normally couldn't afford...so that would make it worse. He would have definitely been banned from further touching of said item until he proved to me he was trustworthy again. I love him to death and he knows it, but I left no doubts about rules. He could think any way he wished, I volunteered to spray his hair orange in the 80s (he refused), but you respect other people's things and take care of your own things--you treat people, animals, and all things with respect. I was a stickler when it came to the few rules I had--and about honesty, fairness, kindness. So...I think you had a perfect right to be upset. These are important things for a child to learn. Consequences. When it comes time to tell your dad--I agree that she should tell him. As you can tell, I was a tough love mama.

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  17. I am sure Hippie is hurting too. Also, I am sure Hippie is going to get hugs from your Dad. Kids always do. Also I am sure you do not have to wait until robots roam the Earth. I am sure there are free lance computer genious around or even talk to the maker reps. They might have suggestions. You are right in letting kids know the value. Now that you are sure, how about a make up hug:)
    PS I want to thank Fishducky - - - just can't get hold of her.

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  18. Now if this was me I would yell and scream and rant and rave then walk away maybe to maccas and have a hot chocoalet and calm down then return and tell everyone that I know it was an accident and I shouldn't have blown up so bad............you were very calm in my opinion............

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  19. It's o.k. to be majorly pissed off. Yes, it's just an object, but so is a house. Is it o.k. if they set it on fire on bash in the walls on one side? They need to go with you to find out what it will cost to have it fixed. Hippie needs to call Grandpa, tell the truth, and apologize. However, I'm more upset with the Scribe. I know she sent God into the world, or down the street, but SHAME on her for taunting her sister. That's unacceptable in the junebug world, and I think it's one of the reasons my children get along so well. They knew I wouldn't put up with anything less than them showing kindness to each other. It's important to respect property whether it's a cherished Bible or an iPad. It's not going to kill them if you show anger sometimes. It will help them learn how important it is to behave properly and to obey you without question. I realize you might be surprised at how strict I am, but I was always the fun mom who was also the strict mom. My kids have turned out pretty well, except for FYM not speaking to me at the moment. But he'll get over it and he'll be welcomed back with open arms, as will the Hippie.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. I think now that perhaps I was too critical of the Hippie. I told The Hurricane what happened and she said iPads are made to be broken. Maybe it isn't necessary to tell Grandpa. Perhaps you, the Hippie, and the Scribe can sit down together and talk about respecting each other. And how the iPad got broken. And why the Hippie would offer to eat hot peppers. That one confuses me. I hope she doesn't know a child who is punished in that fashion.

      Love,
      Janie

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  20. When tech stuff breaks around here (iPhones, etc) I know that some folks have taken them to the high school. They have a vo-tech program that programs, fixes, and designs computer stuff. It may negate the warentee, but it's FREE.

    Just a thought.

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  21. It's hard to not get mad when something expensive breaks or doesn't work, even if how it happened was an accident. I know it's just an object, but some objects are necessary. What's just as sucky is when they're also expensive to fix. I hope you find an inexpensive fix!

    I'm not sure what I would have done. Though I think my parents would've given us a similar punishment as you gave your kids. Only, they probably would've given the punishment only to the kid(s) who broke the object.

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  22. Cinnamon Challenge was invented by the devil that smells nice.

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  23. Wow that's tough but it looks like everyone has given you great advice! I hope the Apple Store can help. Scribe's notes blowing in the breeze gave me tingles. That is precious; what a heart!

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  24. I think you handled it well. All of these extremely expensive gadgets these days shouldn't be taken for granted. Kids won't know until they are buying them themselves for their own kids. Just wait for what they will have to buy!...waahh..aah...ah;)

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  25. Parenting is not for the faint of heart. I think you did well in the thick of things.

    I'd never tell my family either. I wouldn't see the point of upsetting more people.

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  26. You handled things just fine. The glass can be fixed, you got your house cleaned, the Scribe not only thought about God, shared her thoughts and feelings.

    We all learn fron each other if we're lucky, and I'd say you are all blessed to be in each other's lives.

    Besides, you will all laugh about this one day. There's nothing better than that.

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  27. I have a house full of previously owned items- it is an eclectic mix and I love it, too. I also have a computer- that is the most expensive thing I own- so I tried imaging how I would feel if something happend to my Mac. I think you handled yourself very well! The kids need to know that if you break something that doesn't belong to you, people won't be happy and there will be consequences. You didn't go over the top and the kids feel bad for their differen actions. I think you should pat yourself on the back! I hope apple can help you! My friend has had them replace a lot of things for him and he says their customer service is great. Good luck!!!

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  28. I also think you handled it very well and the older I get the less I get worried about things and more about family and friends. Speaking of friends recently I was asked in a blog to pop over to Melynda's blog and I am so thrilled that I did. I literally love it when I see that she has another post that I can enjoy and we even email each other at times. I feel like I have known her for a lot longer and can see easily why so many people seem to love her. The idea that a book of her posts will be in print thrills me and I will be one of the first to get one from Amazon and promote it on my facebook and blog. Keep me posted my email is odie_langley@yahoo.com Thanks

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